A Promising Return

PORTLAND, Maine — Roman Anthony's first game since May 4 exceeded expectations. Playing for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday, the 22-year-old outfielder went 2-for-2 with a home run and two walks, a performance that offered a glimpse of the potential he had not shown in regular-season action this year.

Anthony, who had been sidelined with a sprained right wrist, spoke after the game about his mindset. "I try not to get too high or too low on one day of performance, but for sure it's motivating to see," he said. "I'm glad it's still in there."

The performance was marked by hard contact. In his second plate appearance, Anthony rocketed a line-drive single through the left side of the infield with an exit velocity of 108 miles per hour. That single to left field was hit harder than any ball he had hit to the opposite field in a game prior to his injury, as reported by The Boston Globe.

Anthony homered to right field in his third plate appearance, his first home run of the regular season. He had managed just one home run in the majors before his injury.

Motivation and Adjustments

Anthony attributed his strong showing to renewed focus on using all fields. He said he was motivated to reestablish his all-fields approach after watching Red Sox teammates, noting that he wanted to improve from a sluggish start to the season.

"That's always been a part of my game, a big part of my game," Anthony said. "I think early in the year I was just trying to do maybe a little bit too much coming off the WBC, and maybe just a little too excited with my approach. But I think seeing the way that the guys [on the Red Sox] right now are playing the game, using the other field and just playing baseball, and the way the lefties are going the other way, I think it's motivating to see for me, and I wanted to put an emphasis on that coming back."

During batting practice before the game, Anthony smashed multiple pitches off the scoreboard in left-center, hinting at the power he displayed later.

Recovery and Rehab

Anthony had not played in a regular-season game since May 4, when he got hurt in his first at-bat against Detroit. The injury sidelined him for 100 games, as reported by WTOP. He began his minor league rehabilitation assignment on Aug. 18.

In eight rehab games with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, Anthony went 7 for 25 with two homers and seven RBIs, according to WTOP.

Looking Ahead

Anthony said there's a chance he returns to the majors as soon as Friday against the Yankees, a timeline reported by NBC Sports. He has not played in an MLB game since May 4.

Trevor Story, who has been rehabbing a sports hernia, could also be activated soon. Story has been out since May 16 and has missed 92 games.

The Red Sox are in the thick of the playoff race, entering play on Sunday three games behind the Yankees for the top American League wild card spot.